Topaz
Birthstone for November
Topaz is a silicate mineral that occurs in a wide range of colors, though the November birthstone is traditionally a warm golden to orange variety known as 'imperial topaz.' The finest imperial topaz comes from the Ouro Preto mines in Brazil and shows a rich, sherry-like color that is genuinely rare. Blue topaz, the most commercially common variety, is almost always treated — natural blue topaz is extremely pale. The stone has been known since antiquity; the ancient Greeks believed topaz could increase strength, and medieval Europeans thought it could break spells. At 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, topaz is durable enough for everyday wear.
Why Topaz for November?
Topaz was linked to November because its warm golden color resembles the last warm light of autumn before winter. The Egyptians associated topaz with Ra, the sun god, and November — when the sun sits lower in the sky — was the month when its protective warmth was most needed.